On Friday night’s podcast, Seth and Travis Aune discussed the White Sox 2-0 win over the Tigers, the World Cup and the Twins minor leaguers who have played such a big role for their teams in it. And halfway through the game, the Twins finalized their 9-4 win over the Royals. There was a lot of excellent discussion on a bunch of topics. I think it has been one of the better shows, so please be sure to take a listen.

The Twins got a big win over the Royals, and they got help from the White Sox who beat the Tigers 2-0. The combination means that the Twins have cut the Tigers lead to just two games.

Carl Pavano gave up four runs in six innings. The runs were all thanks to the bat of Billy Butler who was 4-5 with his 20th and 21st home run and all four RBI. Pavano again bent, but didn’t break too much.

Robinson Tejeda has been incredible in September, but he was more than a little wild in this game. He gave up six runs (5 earned) on just two hits in 4.1 innings. However, he walked seven Twins batters.

Michael Cuddyer gave the Twins the 2-1 lead in the fourth inning with a solo home run. It was his 30th home run, and he now has 88 RBI on the season. He was 2-4 in the game.

In the fourth inning is when Tejeda really lost his control. Joe Mauer, Jason Kubel and Cuddyer each walked in a run. For Mauer and Kubel, it was each of their 90th RBI of the season.

Delmon Young continued his hot hitting since he has been in the daily lineup. He was 2-5 with an RBI triple to the left centerfield gap. Later he hit a very long home run to left field for his 9th home run of the season.

Good to see Denard Span back in the lineup after missing two games after being hit in the head by White Sox lefty Randy Williams. He got out the first two times he came to the plate. Then he got on base the next three times, which is great to see because we all know the value he brings at the top of the order.

Joe Mauer walked his first three plate appearances, and you can’t help but assume that will be a trend for the final nine games. Hopefully he will accept those walks, and have confidence in teammates Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer to come through.

Saturday, it will be Scott Baker going to the mound opposite lefty Lenny DiNardo.

On the South Side of Chicago, the White Sox got a terrific start from Jake Peavy. He gave up six hits, but no walks, in seven shutout innings. He struck out eight.

With Bobby Jenks out for the season, Matt Thornton will apparently be getting many/most save opportunities. He got his second save of the year last night with a scoreless ninth.

Eddie Bonine gave the Tigers as much as they could have realistically hoped for. In 6.2 innings, he gave up just two runs, both unearned.

The White Sox had just two hits in the entire game. But one of those hits was the difference in the game. Rookie Gordon Beckham hit his 14th home run of the season, a two run shot that provided all of the game’s runs. Beckham was 1-2 with two walks in the game.

On Saturday, Nate Robertson will pitch for Detroit against Freddy Garcia of the White Sox.

World Cup Update

Team USA beat The Netherlands 8-2. For the first time in the tournament, Trevor Plouffe and Terry Tiffee were not in the lineup. They will both be in the lineup on Sunday!

Puerto Rico beat Australia 4-2. Nelvin Fuentes got the one batter he faced out. For Australia, Brad Tippett gave up no runs on two hits and a walk in two innings. Matt Williams gave up a hit and a walk in his inning, but no runs. Luke Hughes and James Beresford were each 0-3 with a walk.

Venezuela beat Chinese Taipei 6-4.

Cuba beat Canada 5-1. Rene Tosoni went 0-3 with a walk.

If you have any opinions, comments or updates, please leave them in the Comments section.